Proud to fund research initiatives to help children with cancer

The Kids’ Cancer Project is proud to announce a funding allocation of just over $4 million to be invested into childhood cancer research in the next year.

“Thanks to all our donors, fundraisers and partners we’re able to fund twenty-six projects, including thirteen for the first time,” said Owen Finegan, Chief Executive of The Kids’ Cancer Project.

“This is what all the donations, baking, running, swimming and bear program are all about.

By giving to The Kids’ Cancer Project our supporters have helped fund two clinical trials, collaborating with the smartest minds across Australia and extending in 30 counties world-wide. It’s a great example of the community working together to help kids with cancer through research,” said Owen.

Over sixty grant applications were received in May and reviewed by the Research Advisory Committee (RAC).

Dr David Ziegler, incoming Chair of the RAC said, “It’s important to make sure that all the projects funded are scientifically sound, have the potential to significantly impact on areas of greatest potential and are conducted by researchers and clinicians with the track record and capability to successfully conduct the project from beginning to end.”

The Kids’ Cancer Project is funding a broad spectrum of initiatives to identify better ways to diagnose, treat and cure childhood cancer and also improve the quality of life of survivors. Ensuring that every project is rigorously reviewed by a Research Advisory Committee is central to achieving these objectives.

Projects funded this year include:

Research into novel therapeutic approaches such as immunotherapy, which uses the body's own immune system to help fight cancer;

Research into new treatments against osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer in adolescents, with low survival rates once the cancer has spread to other organs.

Six projects in brain cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in children.

“We’d like to thank the RAC for their expertise and the time given to our grant process and especially recognise the commitment of Professor Peter Smith, who has chaired the Committee the last few years,” said Owen.